Crossover Recommendations for a Small Subwoofer

Jump to Latest
D

dreyerdr

Member
Joined 2025
#1
Hello,
I have two Tectonic TEBM65C20F-8 3-1/2" BMR Full-Range Speaker 8 Ohm speakers I want to supplement with a Tang Band W5-1138SMF 5-1/4" Paper Cone Subwoofer Speaker to add more bass response. I plan to put all three in a three chambered enclosure for use in a bedroom/office setting. I'm looking for a suitable preassembled crossover that will work for this pairing. I would like the crossover frequency to be around 200 Hz - 300 Hz based on the various speaker specs and modeling curves. The FR speakers are 8 Ohm, and the subwoofer is 4 Ohm.

I'm considering using a Parts Express 100 Hz Low Pass 8 Ohm Crossover Part #266-446. This is an 8 Ohm crossover. If I use two of these crossovers with that subwoofer (one for each FR speaker), can I reasonably expect the crossover frequency to increase from 100 Hz to somewhere near my desired 200-300 Hz? Are there any concerns to consider about doing this?

Recommendations for something else to consider are appreciated.

Thanks.

100 Hz Crossover
TEBM65C20F-8
W5-1138SMF
 
#2
Standard "textbook" calculator crossovers tend to fail to work as intended once the impedance changes around crossover frequency - which will be the case with most subwoofers. It usually leads to a bloated upper bass (corresponding to the higher impedance peak of ported enclosures).
Solution: try an active system!
 
  • Like
Reactions: dreyerdr
#7
stv said:
Looks good, but you will need amps after the x-over
Click to expand...
After researching it more, it appears that I'm stuck in an "old school" way of thinking about subwoofers. Admittedly, most of my experience with it was building subwoofers with my dad almost forty years ago. I'm just now getting back into it for fun, and have a lot to catch up on.

There's a number of ways I could go, but it seems that for my application, some sort of small 2.1 plate amplifier with built-in crossover frequency adjustment and possibly high and low volume control would be the way to go.

I'm looking at something like this now.
https://www.parts-express.com/Lepai...i-Plate-Amplifier-TPA3118-310-4002?quantity=1
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: stv
#9
Have a look here:
AllenB

Post in thread 'Introduction to designing crossovers without measurement'

There are four basic issues to consider when crossing satellite speakers to subs. One is whether to cross to the subs or to overlap with them. By crossing them to the satellites you increase the power handling of the system while increasing the bass extension, turning the speakers into three ways. When you instead overlap the subs and mains, you allow them to work together to handle room modes. It is possible to do both by adding further subs.

The second issue is whether you will use separate amps for the satellites and the sub(s). This can open up possibilities for the crossovers by...
  • Like
 
  • Like
Reactions: dreyerdr
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom